Lukashenka Appoints New Deputy Chief of the General Staff

Aliaksandr Lukashenka has signed a decree appointing Colonel Maksim Hakotsin as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces and Chief of the Main Operations Directorate.

Hakotsin replaces Major General Siarhei Lahadziuk, who was dismissed from the post in early June. It was reported that Lahadziuk had been discharged from military service into the reserve upon reaching the mandatory retirement age, with the right to wear his military uniform and insignia.